Entre Naranjos – For Sale!

The following is an article I have posted on to the 'No to censorship on Entre Naranjos and Facebook group' facebook page. Entre Naranjos is a urbanisation (housing estate) within the Orihuela Town Council area in Costa Blanca in Spain.

Has anyone else heard the news?

I understand that the Alcalde of Orihuela is putting forward a motion at the next Pleno that in order to save costs on the municipal budget that the Entre Naranjos urbanización is not to be 'Adopted' in the future, although it has been fostered for some time. It is to be put up for sale by auction.

Apparently following investigations by a subcommittee lead by the Concejal de Hacienda and including the Concejal de Urbanismo, the Concejal de Infrastructural y Services, and the Concejal Delegado de Pedanías, the conclusion has been reached that the urbanización will never be profitable for the Council. The costs to maintain it will exceed the tax revenue from the IBI collected from the property owners. It is not worth the hassle its residents create by wanting more and more luxury services.

It's reported that following the recent petition by a few of the more militant residents of Entre Naranjos demanding a local doctor's surgery the Alcalde was heard to exclaim “¡eso es el colmo!”

It is thought that discreet approaches have been made to both the San Miguel de Salinas and Los Montesinos Town Councils to accept Entre Naranjos as a gift. Both declined without any hesitation.

My source of information within the Ayuntamiento, Sra. Esperanza Anónimo, believes that an approach is possibly going to be made to the previous quasi-mayor of the urbanización, imposed unilaterally by the past Partido Popular government on the residents. As 'that person' allegedly acts as if 'that person' still has that position, enquiries are to be made to see if 'that person' wants to, and can afford to, buy it (Entre Naranjos). A preferential discount could be available to 'that person' as well as the added incentive of the compulsory purchase of all known PSOE supporter's properties on the urbanización by the Council prior to the completion of any sale. This would be a way to censor possible trouble makers towards 'that person'.

Perhaps the current quasi-mayor of the urbanización, this time around, imposed unilaterally by the PSOE element of the tripartite government of Orihuela on the residents, ought to be considered as a future owner. This would alleviate any compulsory purchase of properties.

This could push up the final sale price of Entre Naranjos which would help the Orihuela municipal budgets.

The future could be interesting amongst the oranges when the sale goes ahead.

(To the Editor: No names have been included so as to maintain anonymity and keep this non-personal, except for my source as she won't mind. Where used the term 'that person' could relate to either gender, to avoid this news item being censored for being sexist.)

Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. The results also showed that substituting other healthy protein sources, such as fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of mortality.

"Our study adds more evidence to the health risks of eating high amounts of red meat, which has been associated with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers in other studies," said lead author An Pan, research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at HSPH.

Red meat, especially processed meat, contains ingredients that have been linked to increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. These include heme iron, saturated fat, sodium, nitrites, and certain carcinogens that are formed during cooking.

Read further details in ScienceDaily Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality

Vacuum cleaner euthanasia or not?

Can't show cable as the retraction mechanism says no!

My vacuum cleaner friend has survived another day's work!

The right rear wheel fell off 5 times but the left one only came off 3 times. The cable rewind mechanism constantly grabs the cable back trying to restrict my roaming area or pull the plug from the wall. To turn it on or off means plugging it in or unplugging it from the power socket in the wall as the plastic on/off switch doesn't work. The HEPA filter is randomly ejected from the rear of the cleaner, depositing its collected dust on the cleaned floor, depending on the strength of the air flow and the heat of the plastic moulding surrounding it.

I am wondering if it is time for retirement, or even euthanasia, of my little friend. Is it cruel to make it continue to struggle, to work on, when the prognosis can only be for worse to come.

What makes my decision more difficult is that it was only brought into our family on 28^th January 2010 when we adopted it from the Carrefour Home brand stable at a special offer price of £51.78 (€60.00 in pretend money). I like to push the boat out occasionally!

I have to consider my little friend's pride, will it feel it has given us value for money? Will it consider that we have understood its little foibles as mitigation towards its survival?

I think I'll have to think about it a little longer. Perhaps modern science will come up with a solution for extending useful life. If all else fails I could use some sticky back plastic (no trade name advertising on my weblog) as a temporary life support. My vacuum cleaner friend survives for another day's work.

The Woodsman’s Cottage Mystery.

 For many years the villagers have wondered about Woodsman’s Cottage. The small secluded building stands like a sentry on the edge of common land at the entrance to the ancient wood. It has been uninhabited for some twenty plus years. The small garden surrounding it becoming very overgrown. The crimson flowered rhododendrons have taken total command of their domain, defeating any other shrubs that may have survived alongside them in the past, allowing only a small glimpse of the red brick cottage to passers-by.

The older villagers can remember when Bill Clayton lived there but his sudden departure from village life was unexplained then and remains so to this day. He was a private man who liked the isolation of his home on the outskirts of the village. As far as those who thought they knew him were aware, Bill had no family. He was an only child, his parents had died, and he was single. There are many rumours about his disappearance. Had he just decided to move away, had the witches of the wood spirited him away, was he dead; no one knows the truth.

The cottage hadn't had any visitors until the day that the 'Property for Auction' sign went up. In fact none of the villagers saw the sign being put up. If it hadn't been for the Auctioneers name and telephone number the mystery would have continued. Several of the more inquisitive locals had made telephone enquiries pretending to be potential bidders at the forthcoming event. All they could find out were the basic details of the cottage, and when and where the auction was to be held. No news about Bill or the seller if it's not him. The mystery continued on.

On auction day a couple of volunteer village spies attended the sale as did John Messenger. He desperately wanted to be, had to be, the new owner of the property he'd coveted for many years. Bill had refused to sell it to him, many times, and they had argued about this.

John found himself bidding against two others in the room. One he recognised as a builder from the nearby market town, and the other was Sarah Clarke another local villager. He couldn't let them buy Woodsman's Cottage. The builder started the bidding at the guide price of £80,000: the battle commenced between the three protagonists. The bids increased by £5000 a time quickly reaching £125,000 and then slowing to £1,000 increases. Sarah stopped bidding first and then the builder leaving John with what he thought was the winning bid at £139,000. This was £14,000 above what he could really afford, but needs must as he felt it was his right to own the property.

The auctioneer started his closing speech: “The bid is with the gentleman seated on the right at one hundred thirty-nine thousand pounds for the first time.” After allowing a short pause he continued: “At one hundred thirty-nine thousand pounds for the second time. Make no mistake I will be selling it.” John's heart was banging, trying to get out of his chest. The air in the room seemed to be thinner as he couldn't get his breath properly. The room had become hotter, his hands were becoming clammy. “This is your last chance ladies and gentlemen: the bid is at one hundred thirty-nine thousand pounds for the third time,” the auctioneer said as he raised his gavel.

“One hundred forty-five thousand” shouted one of the auctioneer’s colleagues, holding a telephone to his ear, sat at the table to the right of the auctioneer, as the gavel started its downward journey.

“We have a new bid on the telephone at one hundred forty-five thousand pounds,” announced the auctioneer, stopping the falling hammer in mid-flight, as he looked in John's direction, in hope of an increased bid from him.

John felt his world fall from beneath his feet. Although desperate to own the cottage; he couldn't respond to this new much higher bid. His ambition had been pole-axed. He looked at the auctioneer and slowly shook his head, left and right. After a new closing speech the gavel was brought down onto the block with a resounding bang. The mystery telephone buyer had won the day with the single surprise bid.

The villagers still had no news about either Bill or the new owner. Woodsman's Cottage was not going to give up its secrets easily, the mystery surrounding it lives on . . .

Edited: 02.12.2012

Continuation story: The mysterious O'Neills 

North Slope By Michael Parker

I have finished reading North Slope By Michael Parker. Click on the link to read all about the book rather than me repeating it here. Michael Parker is a new author to me and I am very pleased to have come across this book. The plot is fast moving with interesting twists and turns. The characters are explained in enough detail to understand them. The description of the Alaska weather and the hardships endured by the cast of the novel bring a chill to the readers bones.

I recommend this book and will include Micheal Parker's other titles in my future reading list.

Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster

I have just finished reading 'Hostile Witness' by Rebecca Forster .

This is an excellent court room thriller with many twists and turns in the plot to keep ones interest. It is a fast moving story with very good character analysis and court room scenes.

It follows the trial of sixteen-year-old Hannah Sheraton who is charged with arson and the murder of her step-grandfather. There is the added complication that he was the chief justice of the California Supreme court. Her mother pleads with Josie Baylor-Bates, an old college friend for help in defending Hannah. As Josie investigates the facts surrounding the alleged crime and the complications of the personal life of the family she gets further involved than a lawyer ought to.

This is the first book by Rebecca Forster that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, having difficulty in putting it down. I recommend it as a very good and interesting read.

Eat your broccoli: Another mechanism discovered by which sulforaphane prevents cancer

Researchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University have discovered yet another reason why the "sulforaphane"compound in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is so good for you -- it provides not just one, but two ways to prevent cancer through the complex mechanism of epigenetics.

Read more in ScienceDailyEat your broccoli: Another mechanism discovered by which sulforaphane prevents cancer

British Expat denied appeal over expat voting decision.

The Telegraph newspaper reports that James Preston's, a British expat, attempt to force the Government to give him the right to vote in elections was recently overthrown by judges has been refused permission to appeal.

He went to the High Court last year to challenge the ban on Britons voting after they have lived abroad for 15 years. He argued that the time limit was an infringement of his rights under EU law to move to other member states without discrimination, but the case was summarily dismissed in December. He then lodged permission to take the case to the Court of Appeal, but was informed last week this application has been denied.

 Read the full article here: James Preston denied appeal over expat voting decision - Telegraph.

This is a blow for many of us who continue to have to pay taxes in the UK but choose to live outside the UK for what ever reason. Shouldn't it be 'No taxation without representation'?

More success against the benefit cheats in Spain

The British Embassy in Madrid website, 'UK in Spain' published an article today confirming that UK Benefit Fraud investigators have recently enjoyed more success in the fight against benefit cheats in Spain.

In one of the latest cases to go to prosecution, Debbie Williamson from Rotherham was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 18 months immediate imprisonment for having stolen UK benefits between 2004 and 2009. Ms Williamson had been claiming a number of non-exportable benefits from the UK, including income support. She denied having any connection with Spain, but investigators established she owned property in Valencia, had made regular cash withdrawals abroad and had her daughter in a local Spanish school. In total Ms. Williamson stole £42,558.72 from the British taxpayer by claiming benefits she was not entitled to after her circumstances changed.

The full article can be read here: More success against the benefit cheats in Spain. 

This is excellent news.

Bob Houliston resigns postion as Councillor for the Coast

Councillor Bob Houliston

When I wrote my articles 'Will CLARO partner the Partido Popular in Orihuela?' followed by 'Together we can! - Oh Really!' , and 'CRAPPOL party inauguration' I never thought I would be reporting on the resignation of Bob Houliston so soon.

Today Bob Houliston leader of the CLARO party resigned as Councillor for Orihuela Costa and as a member of the tripartite government team of the Orihuela Town Council.

His letter of resignation to the Mayor of Orihuela issued as a press release reads as follows:

“Dear Alcalde,
I regret to inform you of my decision to resign, as of today, from the municipal government of Orihuela and from my post as Councillor for the Coast, Beaches and International Residents
My decision has been caused by the present near paralysis of an important sector of the administration of the coast resulting from the sudden and abrupt transfer to Orihuela on 23 January, 2012 of the Resident Engineer. With this transfer, I have lost the services of a competent and very experienced officer. I have also lost the only technical officer working on the coast, dedicated to the supervision of works and contracts and authorised to co-sign with me, work completion certificates and bills essential for the payment of invoices. For this reason, in the course of the past month since her transfer a number of invoices have not been authorised for payment. The legal, administrative and financial problems which this creates are already considerable. I am not prepared to take political responsibility for resolving problems which others have caused..
As you know, this situation is the latest in a series of incidents resulting from the systematic refusal of an element in the government to cooperate and coordinate their activities which concern the coast with me, the councillor geographically competent From the first day I have been aware of their opposition to me and to my having the means necessary to carry out my work for the coast. In the meeting of the councillors forming the majority on the council, the government group, held on on 16 July, 2011 of which I was not informed and to which I was not invited, the conclusions of the negotiations for the inclusion in the government of the Centro Liberal Renovador (CLR) party were presented. Needless to say, I was not informed either of these negotiations or consulted on aspects relating to my responsibilities.
Arriving at this meeting by chance, I was obliged to block a proposal to divide the responsibilites which you granted to me as councillor for the coast on my entry into the government and to share these responsibilities with another councillor. I also had to block a proposal to remove the post of personal advisor to help me with my work on the coast, a post which you had previously agreed to, on a full-time basis and which was subsequently reduced to a part-time basis at the insistence of Pedro Mancebo and the CLR party. Finally, at the same meeting I was obliged to object to the title of the responsibilities to be given to Pedro Mancebo as Councillor for the Coordination OF the Services of the Coast, considering that as councillor for the coast, I should be responsible for the coordination of my services. The title of Pedro Mancebo's responsiblities was changed to Councillor for the Coordination of Services WITH the Coast..
While the preposition in the title of Pedro Mancebo's competences was changed from “of” to “with” I am convinced that the intention behind his original proposal remained unchanged. To illustrate this belief, you will remember that I objected to the definition of his competences included in Decree 513 signed by you on 16 September, 2011 which gave him responsibility for approving (visto bueno) all proposed agreements, decisions (resoluciones), decrees and other documents relating to the work of the councillor for the coast. At the same time the Decree gave him responsibility for “optimising” all resources be they personnel, material, economic or budgetary of the municipal office of the Town Hall in Orihuela Costa.
These responsibilities created in effect the post of a “Controller” (Concejal Controlador) of the councillor for the coast. Regretably, despite my proposals aimed at seeking a consensus on the text, these responsibilities remained essentially unchaged in the modified Decree which you signed on 16 December, 2011 and which I was notified of on 6 February, 2012,
An example of the “optimisation” of the human resources of the coast can be seen in the decision taken by two CLR councillors and, I suppose, the Councillor for Coordinating Services with the coast, to transfer with 6 minutes notice for “organisational necessity” the Resident Engineer who had worked for 12 years on the coast. The officer in question was of such importance, given her responsibility for supervising contracts for basic services, the quality of the beaches and the budgetary procedures, the coast is suffering from her removal. The contract engineer who was appointed in December as a reinforcement, cannot be expected to fulfil all these functions. He does not have power of signature. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any serious effort to solve this problem or the more general problem of insufficient staff, by providing the coast with the appropriate number of qualified, permanent officials needed to look after the needs of 35% of the population of Orihuela, almost the same number as those living in Orihuela city.
I do not wish to go into the detail of all the incidents of non-cooperation and the placing of obstacles to the carrying out of my work which have been caused by the CLR element in the government over the past 7 months and which continue to this day, The consequences have been to divide and weaken the management of the coast against the interest of the people living on the coast and their democratically expressed wishes as to who should represent them.
This long and painful experience convinces me of the impossibility of carrying out my work in the interest of Orihuela Costa. I am therefore obliged to resign from my post as Councillor for the Coast and as a member of your government. I will, of course, continue as an elected member of the Corporation. to work for the interests of Orihuela Costa.
I should like to state that during the past 8 months, I have formed and will retain the highest appreciation of your personal and professional qualities and those of the majority of members of your government”.

This will mean that the town council is now split into two distinct armies; the tripartite governing team of the PSOE, Los Verdes and CLR will now only have 12 Councillors, whilst the PP oposition party will have an equal number of Councillors; with Bob Houliston holding the balancing council seat bringing the total to 25. Monserrate Guillén Sáez as Mayor of Orihuela, and leader of the tripartite alliance will have a difficult time with getting legislation approved through the Town Council with Bob Houliston having the floating, deciding vote.

The alternative, feared by many who have experienced the previous government periods of the Partido Popular party in Orihuela, is that Bob Houliston will give his permanent allegiance to the PP in return for being giving total Councillor responsibility for the Orihuela Costa area. This would be the achievement, pinnacle, of his personal ambition for totalitarian control of the coastal region. What cost for power!